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2,157 Articles
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The world's best gem articles, published weekly.

Most Recent Articles

standard brilliant cut terminology
Faceting Made Easy, Part 3: Starting a Standard Brilliant Cut

In Part 3 of “Faceting Made Easy,” Trevor Hannam covers how to select gem rough as well as dopping and rounding techniques for a standard brilliant cut.

first gem show - display
Five Tips for Your First Gem Show

New to the gem trade, or just a hobbyist? Don’t be intimidated! Follow these tips for your first gem show to make the most out of the event.

Halls MKII - faceting machines and equipment
Faceting Made Easy, Part 2: Faceting Machines and Equipment

What equipment do novice gem cutters need? In Part 2 of “Faceting Made Easy,” Trevor Hannam covers faceting machines, their features, and essential tools.

zircon buying - blue zircon ring with purple and orange diamonds
Zircon Buying Guide

Long valued for its brilliance, zircon is a natural and affordable beauty. Learn more about the quality factors for this gem in our zircon buying guide.

round brilliant sapphire - gemstone properties
Faceting Made Easy, Part 1: Gemstone Properties

In Part 1 of “Faceting Made Easy,” Trevor Hannam reviews gemstone properties in his introduction to faceting and learning to cut a standard brilliant gem.

gram wagon wheel gem design - side view
Gram Wagon Wheel Gem Design

Can an apex crown improve a gem’s tilt brightness? See how a gram wagon wheel gem design will affect your gem and how it compares to a round brilliant.

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"Becoming a Pro Member of IGS just made good sense for my business. The gemology resources are fantastic, and my profile lets potential customers know I am serious about colored gemstones. And frankly, if I get any exposure to potential customers it's a no-brainer."
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Jeweler, IGS Pro Member

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Over 15 years, we have assembled detailed pricing and value information for appraising over 70 different gemstones. The values in our guide come from a variety of sources including primary and secondary gemstone dealers, jewelers, miners, and wholesale suppliers of commonly traded gemstones.

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